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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



TEN COMMANDMENTS 

BRIEFLY EXPLAINED AND ENFORCED, 



IN THE FORM OF 



Question mits < MviB ( mtt f 

WITH SCRIPTURE PROOFS, 



For the use of Families and Schools of all Christian 
Denominations* 



BY LUKE A. "SPOFFORD, 

MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL. 



" And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart r and 
thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou 
sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou lie<st down, 
and when thou risest up," — Deut. vi. 6, 7. 



BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED BY PERKINS & MARVIN, 
No. 114, Washington Street. 



1831. 



■ Si * 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1831 , 

By Perkins & Marvin, 
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts, 



PREFACE. 



In view of the great indifference which has 
seemed to prevail for more than twenty years 
past in regard to the Decalogue, or Ten Com- 
mandments, it is believed that the attention of 
evangelical Christians of every name ought to be 
called to this all-important subject. That the 
subject is of infinite moment, no one can doubt 
when the following circumstances are duly con- 
sidered. 

1. In the Ten Commandments, we have the 
grand outlines of moral duty — our duty to God, 
and to our neighbor. They furnish an eternal, 
as well as perfect rule of right, in relation to our 
moral feelings, our motives, and our whole de- 
portment 

2. To fulfil this law and render it possible for 
any of the human family to be saved, Christ ap- 



4 



peared in the flesh; — he "took upon him the 
form of a servant, and was made in the likeness 
of men ; and being found in fashion as a man, 
he humbled himself, and became obedient unto 
death, even the death of the cross." 

3. This law was illustrated and enforced from 
time to time, both by the Saviour and his apos- 
tles ; and they presented its claims for the im- 
portant reason that it was of a moral nature, and, 
consequently, of perpetual obligation. For the 
same reason also it has been used as the grand 
instrument of true conviction and of saving con- 
version from age to age. 

4. The Ten Commandments were written by 
the ringer of God on tables of stone. This can 
be said of no other part of the sacred volume. 
True, indeed, all other portions of scripture were 
given by inspiration of God ; but still it is a fact 
that both the heart and hands of men were em- 
ployed in the work. The Ten Commandments, 
and these alone, were both dictated and written 
by Jehovah himself. 

5. These precepts were not only written on 
tables of stone— materials no less durable than 
the everlasting mountains — but they were care- 
fully deposited in an ark of wood overlaid with 



5 



gold, and prepared expressly for the purpose ac- 
cording to Divine direction. And the holy of 
holies, in the tabernacle or temple, was assigned 
as the place of its rest. 

6. When this ark was suffered to be taken at 
a certain time by the Philistines, they placed it 
in the temple of Dagon, their idol god, as a sa- 
cred trophy of his victory over the God of the 
Hebrews. But ere their triumphs were ended, 
Dagon fell, and was broken to pieces before the 
ark. And wherever they placed it in any part of 
their land, the people were visited with peculiar 
judgments from heaven. Hence they were glad 
to return it again to the Hebrews from whom 
it had been taken. 

7. At Bethshemisk, where the ark halted on 
its return from the land of the enemy, thousands 
of the Hebrews were struck dead for presuming 
to gratify a vain curiosity by looking into this 
sacred deposit of God's unchanging law. 

In view of these circumstances, as well as 
others which might be named, no believer in Di- 
vine revelation can have a doubt respecting the 
vast importance of the Decalogue, or Ten Com- 
mandments. And when we consider how much 
is depending as to the morals, as well as the final 

i* 



6 



salvation, of the young, on having the grand 
principles of this law deeply imprinted on their 
memory and heart, it is apparent that, instead of 
having so little instruction on the subject as is 
imparted at the present day, they ought to have 
" line upon line," and " precept upon precept." 
Such was the course required to be pursued by 
the ancient Israelites. Having called their at- 
tention at a certain time to the special commands 
of the moral law, Jehovah said to them, " And 
these words which I command thee this day shall 
be in thine heart ; and thou shalt teach them 
diligently unto thy children, antl shalt talk of 
them when thou sittest in thine house, and when 
thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest 
down, and when thou risest up." And every 
parent and guardian is under the strongest obli- 
gation to pursue the same course at the present 
period. The Divine law has lost nothing by age. 
Its claims now are the same that ever they were. 
And not only so, but the importance of under- 
standing these claims is the same. 

The attempt, therefore, to explain and enforce 
the duties of the moral law in a concise and 
scriptural manner will not be viewed unnecessary, 
except by those who would gladly break over all 



7 



the restraints which are imposed by revealed 
religion. 

The author of this manual is fully aware that 
religious publications are greatly multiplied at 
the present day. On this account it may be 
thought that whatever is published, in addition 
to the thousands already in use, should contain 
matter so important and so well arranged as to 
appear, in truth, " like apples of gold in pictures 
of silver." 

As it regards the importance of the subject to 
which the attention is called, there can be no 
room for doubt; but as to its execution , a candid 
public must judge whether it is such as will jus- 
tify the expense of placing it in the hands of 
those for whom the work is more specially de- 
signed. 

It is sincerely to be hoped that every parent, 
and every teacher, whether in the Sabbath or 
primary school, who may have occasion to use 
the following catechism, wiH feel the importance 
of doing something more than merely to ask the 
questions and hear the answers which are given. 

True, indeed, an exercise of this kind might 
be of great advantage, if nothing more were at- 
tempted. But, in all cases where it is practica- 
ble, more than this should be done. 



s 



The scripture quotations, as seen at the bottom 
of the page, should be repeated occasionally, by 
the teacher. This will have a direct and power- 
ful tendency to impress the minds of the young 
with the all-important truth that it is Jehovah 
who speaks to them, and who requires their best 
— their cheerful obedience. And in addition to 
all this — it is peculiarly desirable that a few 
judicious, or well-timed, remarks should be made 
during the recitation, — remarks the best calcu- 
lated to set home the truth to the heart and con- 
science, that the exercise may be rendered the 
more solemn, interesting, and profitable. 

O how happy would it be for the rising gene- 
ration in this great and growing republic, could 
they be faithfully instructed in the grand — the 
fundamental principles of the moral law — the 
law of the Ten Commandments. In this case 
we who are parents might well hope that, by the 
grace of God, " our sons" would " be as plants 
grown up in their youth ; and our daughters as 
corner stones polished after the similitude of a 
palace.' ? 

That such may be the course pursued, and 
such also the final and joyful result, is the ardent 
desire, as well as the fervent prayer, of the author. 

L. A. S. 



THE 

TEN COMMANDMENTS. 



Question 1. What is the whole duty of 
man ? 

Answer. The whole duty of man is to 
fear God, and keep his commandments. a 

2. Where may we find the Divine 
commands ? 

A. In the Scriptures of the Old and New 
Testament. 11 



a Job xxviii. 28. And unto man he sflid, Behold, the fear 
of the Lord, that is wisdom ; and to depart from evil is under- 
standing - Psalm cxi. 10. The fear of the Lord is the be- 
ginning" of wisdom ; a good understanding have all they that 
do his commandments. Ercl. xii. 13. Let us hear the con- 
clusion of the whole matter; Fear God, and keep his com- 
mandments ; for this is the whole duty of man. 

b Luke. xvi. 29 — 31. Abraham saith unto him. They have 
Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, 
Way, father Abraham ; but if one went unto them from the dead, 
they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses 
and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose 



10 



Q. 3. Are these the only sources from 
which we may learn the will of our Maker ? 

A. There are many other books which 
are useful in helping us to understand the 
Scriptures, but these contain the only infalli- 
ble rule of faith and practice. 0 

4. Why are the Scriptures to be re- 
garded rather than any other writings ? 

A. Because they were given by Divine 
inspiration, or written by holy men of God, 
as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. d 



from the dead. Hebrews h 1, 2. God, who at sundry times 

and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by 
the prophets, hath, in these last days, spoken unto us by his 
Son. 

c Psalm xix. 7 — 9. The law of the Lord is perfect, convert- 
ing the soul 5 the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise 
the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing- the 
heart ; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the 
eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever ; the 

judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 

Isaiah viii. 20. To th*e law and to the testimony; if they 
speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light 

in them. John v. 39. Search the Scriptures; for in them 

ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify 
of me. 

d 2 Timothy iii. 16, 17. All Scripture is given by inspira- 
tion of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for 
correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God 

may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 

2 Peter i. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the 
will of man ; but holy men of old spake as they were moved by 
the Holy Ghost. 



II 



5. Does the Bible furnish us with 
any concise and comprehensive rule of duty ? 

A. It contains the Decalogue, or Ten 
Commandments, which teach in substance 
the whole duty of man. e 

Q. 6. Where in particular is this law to 
be found ? 

A. It is recorded in the twentieth chapter 
of Exodus, and likewise in the fifth chapter 
of Deuteronomy. 

7. Under what peculiar circumstances 
were the Ten Commandments given ? 

A. They were written by the finger of 
God on two tables of stone, and delivered to 
Moses, on Mount Sinai/ 



e Matthew xxii. 35 — 40. Then one of them which was a 
lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and spying, Master, 
which is the great commandment in the law 1 Jesus said unto 
him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and 
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and 
great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou 
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two command- 
ments hang all the law and the prophets. Luke x. 26 — 28. 

He said unto him, What is written in the law ? how readest 
thou 1 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy 
God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy 
strength, and with all thy mind ; and thy neighbor as thyself. 
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right ; this do, and 
thou shalt live. 

f Exodus xxxi. 18. And he gave unto Moses, when he had 



12 



8. What was the appearance of Mount 
Sinai at this time ? 

A. It was covered with a thick cloud, 
from which proceeded thunders and light- 
nings, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding 
loud.s 

9. Was this appearance uncommon ? 
A, It doubtless was, for when the people 

saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. h 

10. Why did God manifest himself 
in such awful majesty on this occasion ? 

A. It was that his people might be the 



made an end of communing with him upon Mount Sinai, two 
tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of 
God. 

g Exodus x\x. 16. And it came pass on the third day in 
the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a 
thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet ex- 
ceeding loud 3 so that all the people that were in the camp 

trembled. Verse 18. And Mount Sinai was altogether on 

a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire j and the 
smoke thereof ascended as the smoke cf a furnace, and the 

whole mount quaked greatly. " Voice of the trumpet. A 

voice, or sound, resembling that of a trumpet, made as we must 
suppose, by some of the attendant angels. 7 ' — Dr. Scott. 

h Exodus xx. 18. And all the people saw the thunderings, 
and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the moun- 
tain smoking ; and when the people saw it, they removed, and 

stood afar off. Hebrews xh. 20, 21. For they could not 

endure that which was commanded, and if so much as a beast 
touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a 
dart; and so terrible was tbe sight, that Moses said, I exceed- 
ingly fear and quake. 



13 



more deeply impressed with his infinite au- 
thority and power as the moral governor of 
the universe, and likewise with the purity of 
the Divine law, and the great importance of 
conforming to its precepts and prohibitions. 1 

Q. 11. Can you name any other cir- 
cumstance calculated to produce the same 
effect ? 

A. The peculiar manner in which the 
Ten Commandments were written and re- 
quired to he preserved is wisely calculated to 
impress the mind with a sense of their infinite 
value and importance. J 



i Deut. iv. 8 — 11. And what nation is there so great, that 
hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which 
I set before you this day ? Only take heed to thyself, and keep 
thy soul diligently, le^t thou forget the things which thine eyes 
have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of 
thy life ; but teach them thy sons, and thy son's sons : specially 
the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, 
when the Lord said unto me, Gather me the people together, 
and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to 
fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and 
that they may teach their children. And ye came near and 
stood before me under the mountain ; and the mountain burned 
with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and 
thick darkness. — See also other verses in the chapter. 

j Deut. ix. 10. And the Lord delivered unto me two tables 
of stone written with the finger of God 5 and on them was 
written according to all the words which the Lord spake with 
you in the mount, out of the midst of the fire, in the day of the 
assembly. 

2 



14 



12. It was said that the Ten Com- 
mandments were written by the finger of 
God on two tables of stone, — and how were 
these tables to be preserved ? 

A. They were to be kept in an ark of 
wood overlaid with gold, called the ark of 
the covenant, and prepared expressly for the 
purpose. 1 * 

Q. 13. In what sense does the law of 
the Ten Commandments differ from human 
laws, or the laws of civil society ? 

A. It differs materially both in its nature 
and extent. 1 



k Exodus xxv. 10 — 16. And they shall make an ark of 
shittim wood 5 two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, 
and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a 
half the height thereof. And thou shalt overlay it with pure 
gold, within and without thou s-halt overlay it, and shalt make 
upon it a crown of gold round about. And thou shalt cast four 
rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof ; 
and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the 
other side of it. And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, 
and overlay them with gold. And thou shalt put the staves 
into the rings by the sides of the ark, &c. — And thou shalt put 

into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. heut. x. 

5. And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and 
I put the tables in the ark which I had made $ and there they 
be, as the Lord commanded me. 

1 Psalm cxix. 96. I have seen an end of all perfection 5 but 

thy commandment is exceeding broad. Romans vii. 7. For 

I had not known lust, except the law had said. Thou shalt not 
covet.- Verse 12. Wherefore the law is holy, &c. 



15 



Q. 14. Can you point out this difference 
more distinctly? 

A. The Divine law requires, not merely 
a correct external deportment, but also right 
feelings of heart toward God and man ; but 
human laws have regard simply to the out- 
ward actions of men, m 

15. What in substance do the Ten 
Commandments require ? 

A. They require us to love God with all 
our heart, with all our soul, with all our 
strength, and with all our mind ; and to love 
our neighbor as ourselves. 11 



m Deut. x. \1, 13. And now Israel what doth the Lord thy 
God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in 
all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God 
with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the command- 
ments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this 

day for thy good 1 Psalm lxxviii. 8. And might not be as 

their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation ; a genera- 
tion that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not 

steadfast with God. Romans xiii. 8. Owe no man anything, 

but to love one another ; for he that loveth another halh ful- 
filled the law. — See also verse 9. 

n Mark xii. 29 — 31. And Jesus answered him, The first of 
all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel ; the Lord our God 
is one Lord ; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy 
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all 
thy strength. This is the first commandment. And the second 
is like, namely this. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. — 
See also 1 Timothy i. 5. 



16 



16. What is the preface, or introduc- 
tion, to the Ten Commandments ? 

A. It is in these words, — " I am the 
Lord thy God, which have brought thee out 
of the land of Egypt, out of the house of 
bondage." 0 

17. What are we taught by this lan- 
guage ? 

A. We are taught that, since God is self- 
existent, the only living and true God, our 
Creator and Redeemer, therefore it is our 
indispensable duty to keep all his command- 
ments.? 



o Deut. iv. 20. But the Lord hath taken you, and brought 
you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto 

him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.- Psalm Ixxxi. 

10. I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land 

of Egypt. Isaiah xliii. 3. For I am the Lord thy God, the 

Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour 3 I gavp Egypt for thy ransom, 
Ethiopia and Seba for thee. — See also Hosea xiii. 4. 

p Leviticus xix. 37. Therefore shall ye observe all my 
statutes, and all my judgments, and do them ; I am the Lord. 

Isaiah xlv. 22. Look unto me, and be ye saved all the 

ends of the earth $ for I am God, and there is none else. 

Psalm cv. 43 — 45. And he brought forth his people with joy, 
and his chosen with gladness; and gave them the lands of the 
heathen ; and they inherited the labor of the people ; that they 

mi^ht observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Luke i. 74, 75. 

That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of 
the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holi- 
ness and righteousness before him ; all the days of our life. 



17 



Q. 18* What is the first commandment ? 

t/2. ff Thou shalt have no other gods be- 
fore me." q 

19. What is implied in having no 
other gods before Jehovah ? 

A. It is implied that no other being or 
object besides the living God should have 
our supreme love and homage/ 

Q. 20. Can you state a case in which 
this command is violated, except by those 
who worship false gods ? 

A. It is violated in every case where the 
world, or the things of the world, have a 
higher place in our affections than Jehovah. 9 



q Exodus xx. 3. — See also Deuteronomy v. 7. 

r Psalm lxxiii. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and 

there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. Psahn 

cxxxvii. 5, 6. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand 
forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue 
cleave to the roof of my mouth ; if I prefer not Jerusalem above 

my chief joy. Matthew vi. 21. For where the treasure is, 

there will the heart be also. Matthew x. 37. He that loveth 

father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me 5 and he 
that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 

s Matt. vi. 24. No servant can serve two masters ; for either 
he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to 
the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and 

mammon. Phil. iii. 13, 19. For many walk of whom I 

have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they 
are the enemies of the cross of Christ 3 whose end is destruction; 

2* 



18 



21. Why are we required to love 
our Creator supremely, or above all other 
objects ? 

A. Because he possesses every possible 
perfection. Being infinitely wise, and good, 
and powerful, he is worthy of that supreme 
love which he claims. 1 

(3. 22. What is the second command- 
ment ? 

A. " Thou shalt not make unto thee any 
graven image, or any likeness of anything 



whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who 

mind earthly things. -1 John ii. 15. Love not the world, 

neither the thing's that are in the world. Tf any man love the 
world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

t Exodus xv. 10, 11. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the 
sea covered them 5 they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 
Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods ? who 
is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing 

wonders ! Job ix. 4. He is wise in heart, and mighty 

in strength ; who hath hardened himself against him, and hath 

prospered? Psalm Ixxxix. 6, 7. For who in the heavens 

can be compared unto the Lord 1 who among the sons of 
the might}' can be likened unto the Lord ? God is greatly to 
be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in rever- 
ence of all them that are about him. Psalm cvii. 1. O give 

thanks unto the Lord, for he is good ; for his mercy endureth 

forever. Psalm cxlv. 8 — 12. The Lord is gracious, and 

full of compassion 5 slow to anger, and of great mercy. The 
Lord is good to all ; and his tender mercies are over all his 
works. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy 
saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy 
kingdom, and talk of thy power} &c. — See also Isaiah xl. 28. 
And Jeremiah li. 15. 



19 



that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth 
beneath, or that is in the water under the 
earth : thou shalt not bow down thyself to 
them, nor serve them : for I the Lord thy 
God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity 
of the fathers upon the children unto the 
third and fourth generation of thern that hate 
me ; and showing mercy unto thousands of 
them that love me, and keep my command- 
ments." u 

Q. 23. In what respect does this com- 
mand differ from the first ? 

A. The first commandment has a more 
special regard to the object of worship ; but 
the second regards the means, forbidding " the 
worship of God by images, or any other w^ay 
not appointed in his word." v 

u Exodus xx. 4 — 6. — See also Deuteronomy v. 8 — 10. 

v Deut. iv. 15 — 19. Take ye therefore good heed unto 
yourselves j for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that 
the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire 5 
lest ye corrupt yourselves 7 and make you a graven image, the 
similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, the 
likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any 
winged fowl that flieth in the air, the likeness of anything that 
creepeth on the earth : and lest thou lift up thine eyes unto 
heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the 
stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship 



20 



Q 24. Why is it accounted so great a 
sin in the sight of God to make and worship 
an image ? 

A. Because it is giving that glory to a 
senseless idol, which is due only to Jehovah ; 
and for rational and accountable beings to do 
this, must be exceedingly criminals 

25. Are there any at the present day 
who transgress this command, except those 
that make and worship idols ? 

A. It is believed that the Roman Catho- 
lics are also guilty of the sin here forbidden, 



them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided 

unto all nations under the whole heaven. Psalm cvi. 20. 

Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that 

eateth grass. Micah v. 13. Thy graven images also will I 

cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and 
thou shalt no more worship, &c. — See also Romans i. 23. 

w 1 Kings xiv. 9. But hast done evil above all that were 
before thee : for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and 
molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me be- 
hind thy back. Isaiah xlii. 8. I am the Lord ; that is my 

name ; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my 

praise to graven images. Jeremiah viii. 19. Is not the Lord 

in Zion 1 is not her king in her ? why have they provoked me 
to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities ? 
— See also Psalm cxv. 4 — 8. Jeremiah x. 14 — 16. Romans 
i. 20. 



21 



by making use of images in the worship of 
God. x 

Q. 26. What is meant by visiting the 
iniquity of the fathers upon the children, as 
expressed in the second commandment ? 

A. It is not meant that God punishes the 
children for the sins of their parents, but 
leaves them to walk in their steps, or to com- 
mit the same crimes, and, of course, to suffer 
the same condemnation. ? 

Q. 27. Is it thus universally in relation 



x Leviticus xxvi. 1. Ye shall make you no idols nor graven 
images, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye 
set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it ; 

for I am the Lord your God. Numbers xxxiii. 52. Then 

ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, 
and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten 

images, and quite pluck down all their high places. Deut. 

.xvi. t% Neither shah thou set thee up any image, which the 
Lord thy God hateth. 

y Ezefciel xviii. 20. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The 
■son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the 
father bear the iniquity of the son ; the righteousness of the 
righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked 

shall be upon hires. 2 Kings xv. 27, 28. In the two and 

fiftieth year of Azariah, king of Judah, Pekah the son of Re- 
maliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned 
twenty years. And fee did that which was evil in the sight of 
the Lord: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son 

of INebai, who made Israel to sin. Note. The same report 

is made respecting those in general tJiat preceded, and those that 
followed Pekah, on the throne of Israel. 



22 



to the children of wicked and idolatrous 
parents ? 

A. It has been thus in regard to far the 
greatest proportion of such children, although 
there have been some few exceptions from 
age to age. 2 

Q. 28. What is implied in God's show- 
ing mercy unto thousands of them that love 
him and keep his commandments ? 

A. It is implied that he rewards the love 
and obedience of his faithful worshippers, by 
inclining their children to follow their exam- 
ple, and granting them the blessings of his 
grace to the latest generation.* 



z Job xxi. 11 — 15. They send forth their little ones like a 
flock, and their children dance. They take the timbrel and 
harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. They spend their 
days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. There- 
fore they say unto God, depart from us*, for we desire not the 
knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty that we should 
serve him ? &c. 

a Genesis xviii. 19. For I know him, that he will command 
his children and his household after him, and they shall keep 
the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the 
Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of 
him. — : — Psalm Ixxviii. 5 — 7. For he established a testimony 
in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded 
our fathers, that they should make them known to their chil- 
dren ; that the generation to come might know them, even the 
children which should be born ; who should arise and declare 
them to their children : that they might set their hope in God, 



23 



Q. 29. In what way are we to worship 
our Maker, in order to meet his acceptance 
and receive his blessing ? 

A. The Saviour informs us that " God 
is a spirit ; and they that worship him must 
worship him in spirit and in truth." b 

30. What is the third commandment ? 
A. " Thou shalt not take the name of 

the Lord thy God in vain ; for the Lord will 
not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in 
vain." c 

31. What does obedience to this 
command imply ? 

A* It implies a " holy and reverent use 
of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, 
word and works." d 

and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. 
Other proofs may be seen in Prow xxii. 6. And 2 Tim. i. 5. 

b John iv. 23. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the 
true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth : 

for the Father seeketh such to worship him. Phil. iii. 3. 

For we are the circumcision which worship God in the Spirit, 
and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 

c Exodus xx. 7. — See also Deuteronomy v. 11. 

d Dent, xxviii. 58. That thou mayest fear this glorious and 

fearful name, The Lord thy God. Psalm Ixviii. 4. 

Extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and 
rejoice before him. Eccl. v. 1, 2. Keep thy foot when thou 



24 



32. By what language, or in what 
ways, is the third commandment violated in 
the highest degree ? 

A. It is violated no doubt in the highest 
degree by blasphemy and perjury, or taking 
a false oath. 6 

33. What is the fact in relation to 
those that curse and swear, and who use the 
name of God in a light and trifling manner, 
as is sometimes done ? 

A. They are doubtless guilty in the sight 
of their Maker of taking his name in vain, 
and will be called to answer for every such 
offence at the day of judgment/ 



goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to 
give the sacrifice of fools : for they consider not that they do 
evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be 
hasty to utter anything before God ; for God is in heaven, 

and thou upon earth ; therefore let thy words be few. 1 

Cor. vi. 20. For ye are bought with a price ; therefore glorify 
God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. — See 
also Job xxxvi. 24. Psalm cxix. 140. Psalm cxxxviii. 2. 

e Leviticus xxiv. 16. And he that blasphemeth the name of 
the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation 
shall certainly stone him : as well the stranger, as he that is born 
in the land, when lie blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be 

put to death. Zech. viii. 17. And let none of you imagine 

evil in your hearts against his neighbor} and love no false 
oath : for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord. 

f Psalm lix. 12. For the sin of their mouth and the words 
of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride : and for 



25 



Q. 34. What is the fourth command- 
ment ? 

A. " Remember the Sabbath day to keep 
it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do 
all thy work ; but the seventh is the Sabbath 
of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do 
any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, 
thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor 



cursir.g and lying which they speak.— — Jeremiah xxiii. 10. 

For because «*t swearing- the land mourneth. Matthew v. 

33—37. Again ye have heard that it hath been said by them 
of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform 
unto the Lord thine oaths : but 1 say unto you, Swear not at all 
neither by heaven, for it is God's throne : nor by the earth, for 
it is his footstool : neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the 
great king. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because 
thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your 
communication be, Yea, yea ; Nay, nay ; for whatsoever is more 

than these cometh of evil. Matthew xii. 36, 37. But 1 say 

unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall 
give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words 
thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be con- 



swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by 
any other oath ; but let your yea, be yea ; and )'our nay, nay 5 

lest ye fall into condemnation. 1 Peter i. 15 — 19. But as 

he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of 
conversation ; because it is written, be ye hoi) 7 ; for I am holy. 
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons 
judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your 
sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were 
not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from 
your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers ; 
but with the precious biood of Christ, as of a lamb without 

blemish and without spot. 1 Peter iii. 10. For he that will 

love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from 
evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. 




But above all things, my brethren, 



3 



26 



thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy 
gates : for in six days the Lord made heaven 
and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, 
and rested the seventh day : wherefore the 
Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed 
it."* 

35. Why is the term — remember, used 
in this command ? 

A. It is used not only to remind us of 
the original institution of the Sabbath at the 
close of creation, but because men are apt to 
forget the day when engaged in the busy 
scenes of life during the week, and to neglect 
making seasonable preparation for its observ- 
ance. 11 And when it has actually dawned 

g Exodus xx. 8 — 11. See also Deuteronomy v. 12 — 15. 

h Genesis ii. 1—3. Thus the heavens and the earth were 
finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day 
God ended his work which he had made ; and he rested on the 
seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God 
blessed the seventh day and sanctified it ; because that in it he 

had rested from all his work which God created and made. 

Exodus xvi. 27 — 29. And it came to pass, that there went out 
some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they 
found none. And the Lord said unto Moses, how long refuse 
ye to keep my commandments and my laws ? See, for that 
the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore he giveth you 
on the sixth day the bread of two days : abide ye every man in 
his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. 
Neh. xiii. 19. And it came to pass ; that, when the gates of 



27 



upon them, they are also prone to forget its 
appropriate duties, and thus neglect to sanctify 
the day as required. 

Q. 36. How is the Sabbath to be sanc- 
tified, or kept holy ? 

A. Tt is to be sanctified, not merely by 
abstaining from such conversation and busi- 
ness, from such thoughts, labors, and recrea- 
tions, as are lawful only on other days, but 
by spending the time in a godly manner, or 
in attending to the word and worship of Je- 
hovah, both in public and private, so far as 
circumstances will admit. 1 

Q. 37 . Are there any circumstances which 
can justify manual labor on the Sabbath ? 

A. It can be justified in no other cases 



Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, 1 commanded 
that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not 
be opened till after the Sabbath. — See also Deut.xxxil. 18. — 
Psalm cvi. 21. 

i Leviticus xxiii. 3. Six days shall work be done : but the 
seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation : ye 
shall do no work therein : it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all 
your dwellings. — —Isaiah lviii. 13. If thou turn away thy foot 
from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day 5 
and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; 
and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding 
thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words. — See also 
Ezek. xliv. 24. and xlvi. 3. Luke iv. 16. 



28 



but those of necessity and mercy, such as 
taking care of the sick, and doing what the laws 
of nature, as well as kindness, require to be 
done in order to preserve the life and health 
both of man and beastJ 

^. 38. What is the fact in relation to 
those that journey on the Lord's day, or 
travel either for worldly profit or pleasure ? 

A. Such persons not only profane the 
Sabbath themselves by so doing, and incur 
the righteous displeasure of God, but their 
example is powerfully calculated to corrupt 
the morals of the young, and thus to fit them 
for the wrath of heaven. k 



j Numbers xv. 32, 35, 36. And while the children of Israel 
were in the wilderness, they found a man that fathered sticks 
upon the Sabbath day. And the Lord said unto Moses, the 
man shall sureiy be put to death : all the congregation shall 
stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congre- 
gation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with 

stones, and he died ; &lc. Luke xiii. 15, 16. The Lord 

answered him and said, thou hypocrite, doth not each one of 
you on the Sabbath loose his ox, or his ass from the stall, and 
lead him away to watering ? And ought not this woman, being 
a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these 
eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day ? 
See also Matthew xii. 10—33. 

k Neh. xiii. 15 — 18. In those days saw I in Judah some 
treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, 
and lading asses ; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner 
of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath 



29 



39. What may be said respecting the 
institution of the Sabbath as it regards the 
present life ? 

A. It may justly be said that it is a be- 
nevolent institution, because it affords both to 
man and beast one day in seven for rest. 
The Sabbath must also be regarded as an 
institution of infinite value, in that it is directly 
calculated, when kept as required, to improve 
the morals and promote the happiness of 
community. 1 



day 5 and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold 
victuals. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought 
fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the Sabbath unto the 
children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with 
the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, what evil thing is this 
that ye do, and profane the Sabbath day ? Did not your 
fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, 
and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by 
profaning the Sabbath. — See also other verses in the chapter. 
Note. The baneful influence of corrupt example, as it regards 
the morals of the young, is brought into view in various parts 
of the divine word.— See Deut. vii. 4. 2 Kings viii. 27. 
Psalm cvi. 35. 

1 Exodus xxiii. 12. Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on 
the seventh day thou shalt rest 3 that thine ox and thine ass may 
rest, and the son of thine handmaid, and the stranger, may be 

refreshed. IsaiahWiu. 13, 14. If thou turn away thy foot 

from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day 5 
&c. : — Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord 5 and I will 
cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed 
thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father 3 for the mouth of 
the Lord hath spoken it. 

3* 



30 



Q. 40. These ar£ great and distinguished 
blessings, but are there none superior which 
result from this sacred institution ? 

A. It may be said that the Sabbath, 
when duly observed, is an emblem of heav- 
enly rest ; and its peculiar privileges are ex- 
pressly designed to increase the love, and 
the holy delight- of God's people, and thus 
prepare them for future and eternal joys. m 

41. Why is the command to keep 
holy the Sabbath, directed in particular to 
heads of families, and other superiors ? 

A* Because it depends upon their influ- 
ence, chiefly, whether the day shall be re- 
membered and sanctified, or forgotten and 
profaned by other classes of tKe community. 11 



m Isaiah lvi. 4 — 7. For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs 
that keep ray Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and 
take hold of my covenant : even unto them will 1 give in mine 
house and within my walls, a place and a name better than of 
sons and of daughters 3 1 will give them an everlasting name, 
that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that 
join themselves to the Lord, &c. — every one that keepeth the 
'Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant 5 
even them will 1 bring to my holy mountain, and make them 
joyful in my house of prayer. — See also Hebrews iv. 1 — 10. 

n Neh. xiii. 19 — 22. And some of my servants set I at the 
gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath 
day. So the merchants and the sellers of all kind of ware 



3t 



42. For what special reason is the 
first day of the week now regarded as the 
Sabbath, rather than the seventh, according 
to the original institution ? 

It is because the Saviour rose from 
the dead on the first day of the week, and by 
his example, before ascending to heaven, 
sanctioned the observance of this day as the 
Christian Sabbath. 0 

^. 43. What is the fifth commandment ? 
A. " Honor thy father and thy mother ; 
that thy days may be long upon the land 
which the Lord thy God giveth thee."? 

44. Who are we to understand by 

lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. Then I testified 
against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the 
wall ? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that 
time forth came they no more on the Sabbath. And I com- 
manded the Levites, that they should cleanse themselves, and 
that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sab- 
bath day. — See also Genesis xviii. 19. Proverbs xxii. 6. 

o John xx. 19. Then the same day at evening, being the 
first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the dis- 
ciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and 
stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 

Verse 26. And after eight days again his disciples were 

within, and Thomas with them ; then came Jesus, the doors 
being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto 
you. — See also Acts xx. 7. 1 Cor. xvi. 2. Rev.i. 19. 

p Exodus xx. 12. See also Deut. v, 16. 



32 



father and mother, as expressed in this com- 
mand ? 

A. We are to understand by these, not 
only our natural parents who are specially 
intended, but likewise all our superiors in 
age, in rank, and in office. 

Q. 45. What is implied in honoring our 
father and our mother as directed ? 

A. This duty, so far as relates to our 
natural parents, implies that we should love 
them, and, while under their care, be ready 
to obey all their reasonable commands/ It 



q 2 Kings ii. 12. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My 
father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof. 

-2 Kings v. 13. And his servants came near, and spake 

unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do 

some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it ? Prov. 

xxiii. 22, 25. Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and 
despise not thy mother when she is old. Thy father and thy 

mother shall be glad, and she that bear thee shall rejoice. 

Isaiah xlix. 23. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their 

queens thy nursing mothers. John xix. 27. Then saith he 

to the disciple, Behold thy mother ! And from that hour that 

disciple took her unto his own home. -1 Timothy v. 1,2. 

Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father ; and the 
younger men as brethren ; the elder women as mothers ; the 
younger as sisters, with all purity. — See also Genesis iv. 20, 21. 
Genesis xlv. 8. 2 Kings xiii. 14. Judges v. 7. 

r Deut. xxvii. 16. Cursed be he that setteth light by his 

father or his mother : and all the people shall say, Amen. 

Malachi i. 6. A son honoreth his father, and a servant his 

master. Eph. vi. 1, 2. Children, obey your parents in the 

Lord j for this is right. Honor thy father and mother. Col. 



33 



also implies that we should do all in our 
power to render them happy and useful in 
their declining years. 9 

Q. 46. What is implied in the duty 
under consideration so far as relates to other 
superiors ? 

A. It is implied that we treat them all 
with becoming respect and affection; and that 
we yield a cheerful obedience to our teachers, 
and likewise our rulers, both in Church and 
State, so far as it can be done without trans- 
gressing the laws of Jehovah. 1 



iii. 20. Children obey your parents in all things : for this is 
well-pleasing unto the Lord. 

s Genesis xlvii. 11, 12. And Joseph placed his father and 
his brethren, and gave them possession in the land of Egypt, 
in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had 
commanded. And Joseph nourished his father, and his breth- 
ren, and all his father's household, with bread according to 

their families. — See also verses 29 — 31. Ruth i. 16. And 

Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from fol- 
lowing thee : for whither thou goest, I will go ; and where thou 
lodgest, 1 will lodge : thy people shall be my people, and thy 
God, my God. — See also the context. 

t Lei\ xix. 32, Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, 
and honor the Face of the old man, and fear thy God : lam 

the Lord. Hebrews xiii. 7, 17. Remember them which 

have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word 
of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their con- 
versation. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit 

yourselves. 1 Peter ii. 13 — 18. Submit yourselves to every 

ordinance of man for the Lord's sake : whether it be to the 



34 



47. What encouragement is presented 
in this command for thus honoring our parents 
and other superiors ? 

A. We are encouraged to hope for a long 
and prosperous life, so far as may be con- 
sistent with the glory of God and the good of 
his kingdom." 

Q. 48. What is the sixth commandment? 

A. " Thou shalt not kill." v 

49. What does obedience to this 
command imply ? 

A. It implies the use of all necessary 
means " to preserve our own life, and the 
life of others except in those cases where 
the laws of Jehovah and the good of the 
public require it to be taken. w 

king, as supreme ; or unto governors, as unto them that are 
sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise 
of them that do well, &c. — See also 1 Kings ii. 19. Romans 
xiii. 1—7. Titus ii. 9, 10. 1 Peter iii. 1—6. 

u Eph. vi. 2, 3. Honor thy father and mother, (which is the 
first commandment with promise,) that it may be well with thee, 
and thou mayest live long on the earth. — See also Deut. v. 16. 
1 Kings viii. 25. 

v. Exodus xx. 13. See also v. 17. 

w 1 Samuel xix. 4, 5. And Jonathan spake good of David 
unto Saul, his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin 
against his servant, against David ; because he hath not sinned 
against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward 



35 



Q. 50. Is the sixth commandment vio- 
lated in any case, where the crime of murder 
is not actually committed ? 

A. It is violated, no doubt, in every case 
where a person, either from hatred or self- 
interest, desires the death of another, although 
he may not proceed to the fatal act.* This 
command is also violated by all those who 
actually shorten their days by a course of 
sensual indulgence.? 

51. Can you state any other cases in 
which the sixth commandment is virtually 
transgressed ? 

A. It is transgressed, doubtless, in the 
sight of God, by those that are instrumental, 



very good j wherefore wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to 

slay David without a cause ? 1 Kings xviii. 3, 4. Now 

Obadiah feared the Lord greatly : for it was so, when Jezebel 
cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took an hundred 

Erophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with 
read and water. Job xxix. 13. The blessing of him that 

was ready to perish came upon me. — See also Proverbs i. 10 — 19. 
Also, xxii. 24, 25. Eph. iv. 26. Also, v. 29. 

x Matthew v. 21, 22. Ye have heard that is was said by 
them of old time, Thou shalt not kill 5 and whosoever shall kill, 
shall be in danger of the judgment ; but I say unto you, that 
whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be 

in danger of the judgment, &c. 1 John iii. 15. Whosoever 

hateth his brother, is a murderer.— See also Prov. x 12. 
y Prov. xxiii. 29—35. 



36 

either by vicious examples or corrupt princi- 
ples, of ruining the souls of men. It is also 
transgressed in those cases where souls are 
lost through the neglect, either of parents or 
religious teachers, to give them seasonable 
instruction and warning. 55 

52. What is the seventh command- 
ment ? 

A. " Thou shalt not commit adultery." a 
Q. 53. What does obedience to this 
command imply? 

A. It implies perfect chastity in all our 



z Dent. xiii. 5. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, 
shall be put to death \ because he hath spoken to turn you 

away from the Lord your God, &c. Prov. xxvi. 28. A 

lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it ; and a flat- 
tering mouth worketh ruin. Jer. ii. 34. Also in thy skirts 

is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents : I have 

not found it by secret search, but upon all these. Ezek. iii. 

17, 18. Son of man, J have made thee a watchman unto the 
house of Israel : therefore hear the word at my mouth, and 
give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, 
Thou shalt surely die 3 and thou givest him not warning, nor 
speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked ways, to save his 
life j the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his 

blood will I require at thine hand. Acts xiii. 9, iO. Then 

Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, set 
his eye on him and said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, 
thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt 
thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord ? 

a Exodus xx. 14. See also Deut. v. 18. 




37 



thoughts, our feelings, our language, our 
dress, and our behaviour. b 

54. What is said in the word of God 
respecting the character and present pros- 
pects of that individual who actually violates 
the seventh commandment? 

A. It is said that he " lacketh under- 
standing ;" also, " a wound and dishonor 
shall he get ; and his reproach shall not be 
wiped away." c 

Q. 55. What is said respecting the future 

b Genesis xxxix. 9. How then can I do this great wicked- 
ness, and sin against God ? Job. xxxi. 1. I made a cove- 
nant with mine eyes 3 why then should I think upon a maid ? 

Matthew v. 28. But I say unto you that whosoever looketh 

on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with 
her already in his heart. Eph. iv. 29. Let no corrupt com- 
munication proceed out of your mouth, &c. 1 Thess. iv. 

4, 5. That every one of you should know how to possess his 
vessel in sanctification and honor ; not in the lust of concu- 
piscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God. 1 Tim. 
ii. 9. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in 
modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, &c. — See 
also Prov. ii. 16, and vii. 10. Titus ii. 4, 5. 1 Peter iii. 2. 

c Prov. vi. 26 — 29. For by means of a whorish woman a 
man is brought to a piece of bread : and the adulteress will 
hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, 
and his clothes not be burned 1 Can one go upon hot coals, 
and his feet not be burned 1 So he that goeth in to his neigh- 
bor's wife 5 whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.— See 
also the next chapter. Prov. xxiii. 27, 28. 

4 



38 



prospects of all who live in the practice of 
this sin ? 

A. It is expressly said, that they " shall | 
not inherit the kingdom of God but " shall 
have their part in the lake which burneth 
with fire and brimstone." d 

56. What is the eighth command- 
ment ? 

A. " Thou shalt not steal. 3 ' e 

57. What is implied in the obedience 
here required ? 

A. It is implied that we not only abstain 
from theft and every species of fraud, but be 
governed by the principles of strict justice 

d Prov. vii. 26, 27. For she hath cast down many wound- 
ed : yea, many strong 1 men have been slain by her. Her house 

is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. 

1 Cor. vi. 9, 10. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not 
inherit the kingdom of God 1 Be not deceived j neither for- 
nicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers 
of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunk- 
ards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of 
God.— — Jude 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities 
about them in like manner, giving" themselves over to fornica- 
tion, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, 

suffering the vengeance ofeternal fire. Rev. xxi. 8. But the 

fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and 
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall 
have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brim- 
stone. — See also Rev. xxii. 15. 

e Exodus xx. 15. See also Deut. v. 19. 



39 



and integrity in all our dealings ; doing to 
others as we should wish them to do to our- 
selves under a change of circumstances/ 

Q. 58. What is the fact in relation to 
those who, for the sake of gain, use some 
degree of deception, in their dealings ? 

A. It is the fact, doubtless, in relation to 
all of this character, that they are guilty of 
the sin prohibited in the eighth command- 
ment ; and that, although they may escape 
punishment from men, they must answer for 
every such offence at the tribunal of God.s 

59. What is the ninth commandment ? 



f Micah vi. 8. What doth the Lord thy God require of thee 
but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with 

thy God ? Zeck. viii. 16, 17. These are the things that ye 

shall do ; speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor ; execute 
the judgment of truth and peace in your gates : and let none 

of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor, &c. 

Luke vi. 31. And as ye would that men should do to you, do 
ye also to them likewise. — —Romans xiii. 7. Render therefore 
to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due 3 &c. — See also 
Lev. vi. 4, 5. Psalm xv. Eph. iv. 28. James v. 4. 

g pMv. xx. 14. It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer : 

but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. Eccl. xii. 14. 

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every 

secret thing, whether il be good, or whether it be evil. James 

v. 4. Behold the hire of the laborers who have reaped down 
your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth : and the 
cries, &c.—See also Jeremiah ix. 5. Micah vi. 10, 11. 



40 



A. " Thou shalt not bear false witness 
against thy neighbor." h 

60. What does obedience to this 
command imply ? 

A. It implies that we should not only 
refrain from every species of falsehood re- 
specting our neighbor, as well as ourselves ; 
but also maintain a tender regard for his 
reputation, and do what we can to promote 
it, so far as it can be done in justice to the 
community. 1 

Q. 61. Does the command under con- 
sideration justify the practice of exposing the 
faults of our neighbor to any other than him- 
self, or of making them the subject of con- 



h Exodus xx. 16. See also Deut. v. 20. 

i Lev. xix. 15. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judg- 
ment 5 thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor 
the person of the mighty : but in righteousness shalt thou judge 

thy neighbor. Psalm xv. 3. He that backbiteth not with his 

tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach 

against his neighbor. Prov. xxxi. 9. Open thy mou^, judge 

righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. 

Jeremiah ix. 3. And they bend their tongues like their bow for 
lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; 
for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith 

the Lord. James iv. 11. Speak not evil one of another, 

brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his 
brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law : but if 
thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge* 
— See also Romans xiv. 10. 1 Timothy v. 13. 3 John 12. 



41 

versation from time to time with our fellow 
men ? 

A. It does not justify, but virtu ally forbids 
it, except in those cases where some special 
and important end is to be answered by so 
doing. J 

62. Is it our duty, according to the 
spirit of this command, to remind our neigh- 
bor of his real faults ? 

A. It doubtless is our duty thus to deal 
with our neighbor, unless peculiar circum- 
stances should render it either improper or 
impracticable. 1 " 



j Lev. xix. 16. Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale- 
bearer among- thy people. Prov. xi. 13. A tale bearer re- 

vealeth secrets : but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the 

matter. Prov. xviii. 8. The words of a tale bearer are as 

wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 

Prov. xxvi. 20. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out ; 

so where there is no tale bearer, the strife ceaseth. Titus iii. 

2. To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, 
showing all meekness unto all men. — See also Prov. xx. ly. 1 
Cor. xiii. 4—7. 

k Lev. xix. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brotherMn thine heart : 
thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin 

upon him. 1 Samuel xii. 7. And Nathan said to David, 

Thou art the man. Psalm cxli. 5. Let the righteous smite 

me j it shall be a kindness ; and let him reprove me ; it shall 

be an excellent oil, &c. Matthew xviii. 15. Moreover, if thy 

brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault be- 
tween tfcee and him alone. — See also Prov. xxvii. 5, 6. 



4* 



42 



63. By whom in particular is the 
ninth commandment violated in the highest 
degree ? 



64. Is lying, as well as slander and 
evil speaking, forbidden in the ninth com- 
mandment ? 

A. It is strictly forbidden in this com- 
mand, and is regarded as a very heinous sin 
in the sight of God. m 

1 Deut. xix. 18 ; 19. And the judges shall make diligent in- 
quisition : and behold, if the witness be a false witness, and 
hath testified falsely against his brother ; then shall ye do unto 

him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother. 

Malachi iii. 5. And I will come near to you to judgment ; and 
I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the 
adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that 
oppress 7 &c. — See also Zechariah v. 4. 1 Timothy i. 10. 

m Psalm 1. 2J0. Thou sittest and speakest against thy broth- 
er*, thou slanderest thine own mother's son. Psalm ci. 5. 

Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off. 

Prov. xix. 9. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he 
that speaketh lies shall perish.- — Acts v. 4, 5. Thou hast not 
lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these 

words, fell down, and gave up the ghost.- Rev. xxi. 8. All 

liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire 
and brimstone. — See also Psalm ci. 7. Prov, vi. 16— 1$. Co- 
lossians iii. 9, Rev. xxii. 15; 




43 



65. What is the tenth commandment ? 

A. " Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's 
house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's 
wife, nor his man servant, nor his maid ser- 
vant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything 
that is thy neighbor's." 11 

Q. 66. What is meant by coveting in 
the sense here forbidden ? 

A. It is to have an earnest desire for 
anything in the lawful possession of another, 
and which, at the same time, he may choose 
to retain. 0 

67. Can you state a case which is 



n Exodus xx. 17. See also Dents v. 21. 

o Joshua vii. 21. When I saw among the spoils a goodly 
Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a 
wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then 1 coveted them, and 
took them, and behold they are hid in the earth in the midst of 

my tent, &c. Prov. xxi. 26. He coveteth greedily all the 

day long. Jeremiah vi. 13. For from the least of them even 

unto the greatest of them, every one is given to covetousness. 

Micah ii. 2. And they covet fields, and take them by 

violence ; and houses, and take them away. Acts xx. 33. 

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 1 Tim- 
othy vi. 10. For the love of money is the root of all evil 3 which 
while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and 

pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Hebreics 

xiii. 5. Let your conversation be without covetousness ; and 
be content with such things as ye have.— See also % Timothy 
in. 2. 2 Peter. I 14. 



44 



calculated to illustrate this idea with still 
greater clearness ? 

A. The case of Ahab, king of Israel, in 
desiring the vineyard of Naboth, affords a 
very striking illustration of the sin forbidden 
in the tenth commandments 

68. What is the natural tendency of 
this sin ? 

A. It leads to the violation of other Di- 
vine precepts. It led Ahab to the actual 
murder of Naboth for the sake of obtaining 
his vineyards 

Q. 69. From this view of the subject, it 
appears that covetousness is a sin which is 



p 1 Kings xxi. 2 — 4. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying - , 
Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, 
because it is near unto my house : and I will give thee for it a 
better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give 
thee the worth of it in money. And INaboth said to Ahab, the 
Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my 
fathers unto thee. And Ahab came into his house heavy and 
displeased, because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite 
had spoken to him : for he had said, 1 will not give thee the 
inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, 
and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. 

c| 1 Kings xxi. 17-— 19. And the word of the Lord came to 
Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Arise, go down to meet Ahab, king 
of Israel, which is in Samaria : behold, he is in the vineyard of 
Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt 
speak unto him, saying", Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, 
and also taken possession ? 



45 



very dangerous, as well as criminal, and how 
shall it be avoided ? 

A. It should be avoided by cherishing 
the opposite spirit ; or, in other words, by 
the constant exercise of that love which 
" worketh no ill to his neighbor," and which, 
of course, " is the fulfilling of the law." r 

Q. 70. On reviewing the Ten Com- 
mandments, can you state in particular, which 
belong to the first and which to the second 
table of the law ? and what, in substance, 
they require ? 

A. The first, second, third, and fourth 
commands belong to the first table, and re- 
quire us to love God with all our heart. 8 The 



r Romans xiii. 8 — 10. Owe no man anything, but to love one 
another : for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For 
this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou 
shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt 
not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly 
comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy 
neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: 
therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. — See also 1 Corinthians 
xiii. 4—7. 

s Matthew xxii. 35 — 38. Then one of them which was a 
lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Mas- 
ter, which is the great commandment in the law ? Jesus said 
unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 
and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first 
arid great commandment. 



46 



remaining six belong to the second table, and 
require us to love our neighbor as ourselves. 1 

71. What may be considered one 
important design of the Decalogue, or Ten 
Commandments ? 

A. One special design of this law is to 
teach us, in a very clear and concise manner, 
our duty both to God and man. u 

72. Are there any of the human 
family who yield that perfect obedience 
which the Divine law requires ? 

A. The Scriptures affirm that " there is 
not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, 
and sinneth not." v 



t Matthew xxii. 39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt 
love thy neighbor as thyself. — See also Mark xii. 29—31. 

u Luke x. 25, 26. And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, 
and tempted him, saying - , Master, what shall I do to inherit 
eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law ? 
how readest thou ? Galatians v. 14. For all the law is ful- 
filled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as 
thyself.— See also Dent. x. 12, 13. 

v 1 Kings viii. 46. If they sin against thee, (for there is no 
man that sinneth not.) and thou be angry with them, &c. — — 
Job ix. 20. If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn 
me : if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. 
Psalm li. 3. For 1 acknowledge my transgressions : and my 

sin is ever before me. Psalm cvi. 6. We have sinned with 

our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wick- 
edly. James iii. 2. For in many things we offend all. If 

any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and 



47 



Q. 73. Why did Jehovah give to sinful 
beings, such as we all are, a law so spiritual 
and extensive ? 

A* It is because he could, in justice to 
himself and his kingdom, require nothing less 
than he does of those that are made rational 
and accountable. w 

Q. 74. Can you state any other reason 
for giving such a law ? 

A. It may be said that, by giving a law 
which is so spiritual and extensive, God de- 
signed to show us, not only our duty, but 
our true character' by nature, — -the deep de- 
pravity of our hearty as well as the sinfulness 
of our life ? x 



able also to bridle the whole body. 1 John i. 8. If we say 

that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not 
in us. — See also Job xlii. 5, 6. Isaiah vi. 5. And Ixiv. 6. Rom. 
iii. 10. And vii. ]8. 

w Deut. xxxii. 37 — 39. And he shall say, Where are their 
gods, their rock in whom they trusted, which did eat the fat of 
their sacrifices, and drink the wine of their drink offerings 1 let 
them rise up and help you, and be your protection. See now, 
that I, even I am he, and there is no God with me : I kill, and 

I make alive : I wound, and I heal : &c. Psalm xlvi. 10. 

Be still and know that I am God : I will be exalted among the 
heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.— See also Psalm ixxxi. 
8 ; 9. Mattheiv iv. 10. Romans vii. 12. 

x Psalm cxix. 96. I have seen an end of all perfection : but 
thy commandment is exceeding broad. Romans iii. 20. For 



48 



Q 75. Why is this knowledge of our 
heart and life necessary ? 

A. It is necessary in order that we may 
be fully convinced that, "by the deeds of 
the law no flesh can be justified." y 

76. If none can be justified in this 
way, and the Divine law cannot be annulled 
or repealed, how then can any of the human 
family be saved ? 

A. They can be justified and saved in 
no other way but by the grace of God, 
" through the redemption that is in Christ 
Jesus." z 

by the law is the knowledge of sin. Also Romans vii. 9 — 11. 
For I was alive without the law once : but when the command- 
ment came ; sin revived, and I died. And the commandment 
which was ordained to life, I found to be unlo death. For sin, 
taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it 
slew me. — See also the context. 

y Romans iii. 19, 20. Now we know that what things soever 
the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law : that every 
mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty 
before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law, there shall no 
flesh be justified in his sight. — See also Galatlans ii. 16. 

z Romans iii. 23—26. For all have sinned, and come short 
of the glory of God ; being justified freely by his grace, through 
the redemption that is in Christ Jesus : whom God hath set 
forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to declare 
his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through 
the forbearance of God ; to declare, I say, at this time his right- 
eousness : that he might be just, and the justifier of him which 
believeth in Jesus. — —Galatians ii. 16. Knowing that a man 



49 



77. How is it possible for those that 
have sinned, to be released from the curse of 
a holy and immutable law on account of any- 
thing which Christ has done ? 

A. It is possible for this reason — that he 
made an all-sufficient atonement for sin by 
the sacrifice of himself, or by shedding his 
blood upon the cross. Hence, God can 
" be just, and the justifier of him which be- 
lieveth in Jesus." a 

78. On what account can the atone- 
ment made for sin, by the sufferings and 
death of Christ, be considered all-sufficient, 
as it regards our salvation ? 



is not justified by the works of the law 7 but by the faith of Jesus 
Christ, evenwe have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be 
justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law. 
— See also verse 21. 

a Isaiah liii. 4 — 6. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and car- 
ried our sorrows : yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of 
God, and afflicted. But he was wounded forour transgressions, 
he was bruised for our iniquities ; the chastisement of our peace 
was upon him j and with his stripes we are healed. All we like 
sheep have gone astray ; we have turned every one to his own 

way 3 and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 

1 Cor. xv. 3, 4. For I delivered unto you first of all, that which 
I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to 
the scriptures ; and that he was buried, and that he rose again 
the third day according to the scriptures. — See also 1 Cor. v. 7. 
Ephesians i. 7. Hebrews x. 14. 1 Peter i. 18 ; 19. ^ 

5 



50 



A. It is on account of the Saviour's real 
and proper divinity, or his equality with the 
Father. b 

79, What would be the final state 
of all the human family, in case no atonement 
had been made for sin ? 

A. It would be a state of enmity to God, 
and everlasting, as well as indescribable wo. c 

80. What are the grand conditions 
upon which we may be pardoned and saved ? 

A. The only conditions of pardon and 
salvation, are repentance toward God, and 
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who " is the 



b Zechariah xiii. 7. Awnke, O sword, against my shepherd, 
and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts : 

smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. Phil. 

ii. 6 — 8. Who, being- in the form of God, thought it not robbery 
to be equal with God : but made himself of no reputation, and 
took upon him the form of a servant, &c\ — See also Acts xx. 28. 
Rom. ix. 5. Colossians ii. 9. Hebrews iii. 1 — 4. Rev. i. 8. 

c Rom. v. 10. For if when we were enemies, we were re- 
conciled to God by the death of his Son : much more, being 
reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Rom. viii. 7. Be- 
cause the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject 

to the law of God, neither indeed can be. -Heb. ix. 22. And 

almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and with- 
out shedding of blood is no remission Rev. xx. 14, 15. And 

death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the 
second death. And whosoever was not found written in the 
book of life was cast into the lake of fire. — See also Matt. xxv. 
46. Mark ix. 43— 48. Rev. xxi. 8. Alsoxxn.il. 



51 



end of the law for righteousness to every one 
that believeth." d 

81. Are we under the same obliga- 
tions now to obey the Divine law, that we 
should have been, in case no atonement had 
been made for sin ? 

A. Our obligations to obey every com- 
mand in the Decalogue are far greater in con- 
sequence of the atonement than they would 
have been under other circumstances. 6 

Q. 82. Why have our obligations to obey 
the moral law been increased by what the 
Saviour has done ? 

A. Because he has not only set us an 
example of perfect obedience by the holy 



d Luke xiii. 5. I tell you, nay ; bat except ye repent, ye shall 

all likewise perish. John iii. 16. For God so loved the 

world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever be- 

lieveth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting - life. 

Acts xx. 21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the 
Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord 
Jesus Christ. — See also Mark xvi. 16. John iii. 36. Acts xiii. 
39. Rom. x. 4. 

e Rom. xii. 1,2. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the 
mercies of God. that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, 
holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 
And be not conformed to this world : but be transformed by the 
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, 
and acceptable, and perfect will of" God. — See also Rom. xv. 
8—12. 



52 



life which he lived in the flesh, but, by his 
sufferings and death, he has showed us the 
infinite evil of sin, and the absolute necessity 
of being delivered from its dominion , as well 
as its final consequences/ He has also made 
the most affecting display of the love of God 
to a guilty and perishing world, and by so 
doing has presented to us the highest motives 
to obey from the heart every precept of our 
Makers 

83. What will be the final conse- 

f Matthew xi. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me : 

for I am meek and lowly in heart. Isaiah liii. 10. Yet it 

pleased the Lord to bruise him ; he hath put him to grief. 

Luke xxii. 44. And being in an agony, he prayed more earn- 
estly ; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling 

down to the ground. John iii. 14, 15. And as Moses lifted 

up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man 
be lifted up : that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 

but have eternal life. Rom. vi. 14. For sin shall not have 

dominion over you : for ye are not under the law, but under 
grace. — See also Galatians ii. 17 — 21. Hebrews ix. 28. 

g 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. For the love of Christ constraineth us ; 
because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all 
dead : and that he died for all, that they which live should not 
henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for 
them, and rose again. — —Eph. v. 1, 2. Be ye therefore fol- 
lowers of God, as dear children 5 and walk in Jove, as Christ 
also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and 

a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. 1 John iv. 10, 

11. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved 
us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, 
if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. — See also 
1 Peter I 13-22. 



53 



quences of a life of sin, — a life such as they 
live who neither delight in the law of the 
Lord, nor yield obedience to the gospel ? 

A. The final consequences of such a life 
will be, — " indignation and wrath, tribulation 
and anguish," forever in hell, " where their 
worm dieth not, and the fire is not quench- 
ed." 11 

84. What will be the final consequen- 
ces of a life of real piety, — a life such as they 
live whose delight is in the law of the Lord, 
and who obey, through the influences of the 
Holy Spirit, the precepts of the gospel ? 

A. The final consequences of such a life 
will be, — glory and immortality in heaven, 
where all the powers of the soul will find the 
most delightful employment through the ages 
of eternity. 1 

h Matthew xxv. 46. And these shall go aWay into everlasting 1 
punishment. Rom. ii. 8, 9. But unto them that are conten- 
tious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness 3 in- 
dignation and wrath ; tribulation and anguish, upon every soul 
of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile. 
— See also John iii. 36. Rom. ii. 5. Galatians vi. 7, 8. 2 
Thess. i. 7—9. 

i Psalm xvi. 11. Thou wilt show me the path of life : in thy 
presence is fullness of joy 5 at thy right hand there are pleasures - 
forevermore.— — John xvii. 24. Father, I will that thev also, 

6 



54 



whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am : that they may 

behold my glory which thou hast given me. Rom. ii. 6, 7. 

Who will render to every man according to his deeds : to them 
who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and 

honor, and immortality, eternal life. Rev. xxii. 14. Blessed 

are they that do his commandments, that they may have right 
to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the 
city. — See also John xiv. 2, 3. Galalians vi. 8,9. 2 Thess. 
i. 10. Heb. xi. 16. Rev. vii. 13—17. 



ft! 



0 020 517 



